Dr. Lalarukh Ejaz, Director at the Center for Entrepreneurial Development (CED), IBA Karachi, served as a jury member at the CITADEL: Pathfinder | Davos Startup Challenge, National Round Pitching, held on October 25, 2025. The event, organized by CITADEL Pakistan, showcased some of the most innovative and high-potential startups from across the country, providing them a national platform to pitch their ideas and compete for a spot at the global stage in Davos.
The national round of the Davos Startup Challenge drew remarkable participation from Pakistan’s entrepreneurial community. From over 200 initial applications, 60 startups were shortlisted for the first-round pitches, and 19 emerging ventures earned their place as finalists in the national pitching event. The competition aimed to identify and empower visionary entrepreneurs developing impactful solutions in technology, sustainability, health, finance, and other emerging sectors.
Representing IBA Karachi’s CED, Dr. Ejaz brought her extensive expertise in entrepreneurship, innovation management, and startup development to the judging panel. Her role involved assessing business viability, innovation strength, scalability, and the overall social and economic impact of the participating ventures. As part of the jury, she joined a panel of distinguished business leaders, investors, and ecosystem enablers who evaluated startups on their potential to represent Pakistan at the prestigious World Economic Forum gathering in Davos, scheduled for January 19–23, 2026.
The event celebrated the growing dynamism of Pakistan’s startup ecosystem, where young innovators are taking on global challenges through technology and entrepreneurship. Startups selected from this national round will undergo a mentorship and grooming phase to prepare for the international showcase, where they will represent Pakistan’s innovation potential before global investors, policymakers, and corporate leaders.
In her remarks, Dr. Ejaz acknowledged the quality and ambition of the startups competing in the challenge, commending CITADEL Pakistan for curating a platform that bridges local entrepreneurship with global exposure. She highlighted the importance of such initiatives in providing early-stage founders with the mentorship, visibility, and networking opportunities required to scale their ideas beyond local markets.
IBA Karachi’s CED continues to play a leading role in developing entrepreneurial talent and supporting startup-driven innovation in Pakistan. Through partnerships with organizations like CITADEL, the institution fosters collaboration between academia and industry, encouraging students and entrepreneurs alike to pursue ventures that combine creativity, technology, and social impact.
The CITADEL Pathfinder Davos Startup Challenge marks another step toward positioning Pakistan’s entrepreneurial talent on the global stage, reaffirming the country’s growing presence in the international innovation landscape.
Follow the SPIN IDG WhatsApp Channel for updates across the Smart Pakistan Insights Network covering all of Pakistan’s technology ecosystem.
